Coal India Ltd is eyeing strategic partnerships in rare earth mineral mining across Australia, Russia, and several African countries, as it seeks to diversify beyond its core coking coal business and tap into critical minerals vital for modern technologies, according to Reuters.
Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL), a Coal India subsidiary, said the initiative is in early stages and aligns with India’s broader efforts to reduce dependence on China-dominated rare earth supply chains. The company is evaluating collaborations and investments overseas, alongside domestic partnerships with state entities such as India Rare Earths Ltd, Khanij Bidesh India Ltd, and Hindustan Copper.
The move follows China’s recent restrictions on rare earth exports, which have heightened concerns across industries reliant on these metals, including automotive and electronics sectors. BCCL plans to fund its overseas initiatives partly from proceeds of its $119 million IPO, which was oversubscribed nearly 147 times. The company also aims to acquire coking coal mines in Australia and Russia over the next two to three years and raise its coking coal capacity from 40.5 million tonnes in 2025 to 56 million tonnes per annum by fiscal 2030.
Business Recorder notes that Coal India’s move into rare earths reflects a broader policy push by India to secure critical resources amid global supply chain pressures. Successful partnerships could integrate Coal India into global critical mineral value chains while supporting domestic industrial growth.
